That ‘could be music to the ears of Liverpool fans’ who managed to avoid those silence-breaking quotes which were made 16 days ago and have since been proven largely redundant because they are still not “close to finalising the next step for the player” at all. But it doesn’t feel likely.

Liverpool's sports science staff are convinced they can deal better with Alexander Isak's injury issues than Newcastle

Alexander Isak returned to training at Newcastle United on Monday after missing the club's preseason tour of Asia amidst ongoing speculation over his future.